The RIA examined the university’s activity in 2013–2018, weighting the years 2015–2018 after the introduction of LUT's Trailblazer strategy. The Trailblazer strategy 2015–2018 focused on:
- clean energy solutions
- circular economy solutions, especially clean water and waste streams
- scientific solutions for sustainable business and entrepreneurship.
The RIA report indicates that LUT's research platforms have been able to network and collaborate successfully with national and international institutes and research groups. The platforms have also harnessed in-house expertise from LUT's schools.
The RIA was conducted by an independent, international panel of high-level experts. The panel members were specialists in LUT’s fields of research.
The peer evaluation was based on self-assessment reports by LUT’s schools, which dealt with impact, bibliometric data and other quality indicators. In addition, the assessment panel interviewed different employee groups during their visit to Lappeenranta.
